What natural and political calamities happen during the tribulation?
During the great tribulation's final three and a half years, unprecedented loss of life will come through natural calamities—earthquakes, volcanoes, cosmic disturbances, and likely great meteor storms—along with political and military ramifications that take a heavy toll. Those days will end on schedule rather than be prolonged, for the elect's sake.
Les explains that Jesus describes the midpoint of the tribulation, when great tribulation begins—far greater than the first three and a half years, unlike anything since the beginning of the age. Israel's past horrible days will not compare. The days are so horrendous and deadly that unless they ended right on schedule—1,260 days plus another 1,260 days—no flesh would be saved. For the elect's sake, those days end on schedule and are not prolonged, because of tremendous loss of life from natural calamity, earthquake, volcanoes, cosmic disturbances, and what Les thinks will be great meteor storms. Not only that, but the political and military ramifications also take such a heavy toll of life. Later, false Christs and false prophets arise with great signs and wonders from Satan, seeking to deceive the very elect, but Jesus warns believers not to believe reports that the Messiah is in the desert or secret chambers.